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The Lonely Book
A warm and loving story about how a non-binary person comes to understand and accept themselves by an award-winning queer author. Every morning, when Annie’s moms open up their bookshop, there’s a pile of books on the counter, waiting for the right reader to come and find them. But one day, there’s a book nobody comes for. Nobody ever comes, and each day the book gets lonelier, and the bookshop becomes an unhappy place. Who can the book be for, and why don’t they come? Eventually, the book finds the reader who needs Annie’s sister, Charlotte. Charlotte asks the family to call her Charlie now, and to use ‘they/them’ pronouns. The bookshop cheers up. Customers start buying books again.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2023
6 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Meg Grehan
7 books120 followersMeg Grehan is a young writer hiding away in Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, with a very ginger girlfriend, an even more ginger dog and an undisclosed number of cats (none of whom is ginger).
Her first book The Space Between won the Eilis Dillon Award at the 2017 Children’s Books Ireland Awards. The Deepest Breath won the Judges Special Award at the 2020 KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards. It was also shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award 2020.
Her first book The Space Between won the Eilis Dillon Award at the 2017 Children’s Books Ireland Awards. The Deepest Breath won the Judges Special Award at the 2020 KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards. It was also shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
September 16, 2023
In a Nutshell: An OwnVoices novel-in-verse, about a lonely book, a magical bookshop, and some characters who learn how to accept themselves for what they are. One of the rare middle-grade books to have a non-binary person in the main characters. Great story, decent format.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 The representation is spot on, not surprising from an OwnVoices queer author. Annie’s two mothers have been written in a realistic way. What I especially loved is how there are no needless explanations about why she has two mums. She just has, and that’s that! True inclusivity means that such situations are to be considered natural and don’t need elaborations.
😍 The bond across the four characters in the family is clearly visible, even when some of them are keeping secrets. Their growth as the story progresses is not just at the individual level but also as a family.
😍 You would have surely heard Stephen King’s quote, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” In this story, it is the bookshop that has a uniquely portable magic! What reader wouldn’t love a magical bookshop, even one that is temperamental? I loved the tantrums the bookshop throws when any reader doesn’t claim its suggested book, though I can also see why this was upsetting to the family. As the source of the magic isn’t explained, it adds to the wonder of the story by staying “magic’ till the end.
😍 The themes highlighted in the story are outstanding, and so relevant in today’s world. Through the four characters, we get to see discussions on gender identity, selective mutism, mental health, sign language, same-sex parents (and indirectly, Sapphic relationships), and financial pressure on adults. It also explores the idea of accepting ourselves as we are than striving to be what we are expected to be, and the role of familial support and love in the journey of self-acceptance. For a middle-grade book, it sure aims high, and delivers as well.
😍 Through the blurb, we know that one character is non-binary. However, our narrator is Annie, and she isn’t the non-binary character. This makes for an unusual LGBTQ+ book, because we see the gender identity struggles through the eyes of a cis person. Annie learns more about genders and gender identities as the story moves ahead, and the readers learn along with her. I love this “outside view” of the gender struggle because the book then becomes helpful not only to readers who are coming to terms with their gender identity, but also to cis readers who want to understand the struggles of non-binary people. It also shows cis readers a great way of becoming a gender rights ally.
😍 The author’s manner of explaining genders beyond the binary is impeccable. So simple, and yet so apt! Perfect for the target readership.
😍 At just a little more than 150 pages, and because of the verse-style writing, the book is quick in pace and can be completed in a sitting.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 While the target reader of the “lonely book’ is a mystery for a great part of the book, it isn’t difficult to figure out whom it is meant for. So we need to wait a long time for Annie to figure out the intended recipient. As such, the suspense angle of the book doesn’t deliver much. However, the book isn’t marketed as a mystery, so I suppose this shouldn’t be a big problem, especially for little readers.
😐 The blurb makes it sound like the book is about a non-binary character. But the first half of the story provides just a generic plot. The gender identity aspect comes up only around the midway mark. While the discussion is still nicely handled, I would have preferred more of it.
😐 The author’s interview at the end is enlightening about her writing choices in this book. However, the interview format and the content make it more suitable for older readers than for middle graders. Perhaps it would be helpful to parents/teachers before discussing this book with children.
Bookish Nays:
😒 I admit I picked this up knowing that it is a novel-in-verse. I am not at all fond of poetry, but the themes were so strong that I couldn’t resist it. That said, the “poetic content” of the book appeared minimal to my eyes. (Again, reminding you that I am an absolutely unskilled purveyor of poetry.) The text looked more like broken sentences to me, and with a lot of repetition, which might have been deliberate for poetic effect but it sure didn’t work on me. I read the book as if it were prose, and this got me through without any issues. But I am not sure how many middle-graders would actually appreciate the poetic elements of the story.
😒 I always prefer knowing the main characters’ ages, but this preference becomes a necessity in children’s fiction. Middle-graders range from ages 8 to 12, but there is a vast difference in the processing capabilities of an eight-year-old and a twelve-year-old. Annie’s age is thus vital to the storyline, but it is never mentioned or hinted at. All we know is that she is younger than Charlotte, who is sixteen.
(I discussed her possible age with my friend and fellow reviewer Srivalli, who had also read this book. She guessed Annie to be about 8 while I had estimated her to be around 12. This highlights the vagueness of the text regarding her age. Child characters must have their ages clearly specified.)
😒 Why does the book blurb on Goodreads and Amazon reveal the entire story, from start to end, leaving no suspense at all? Surely there should be something left for the readers to discover on their own!
Overall, this is a great book for the theme and the gender identity discussion, all of which sound authentic and simple for young readers. I wish the format of the book had not been verse so that more children (and guardians) would have been motivated to pick it up. Nevertheless, the themes are important enough to make this work a solid recommendation for middle graders. The magical bookshop is a bonus.
3.75 stars
My thanks to Little Island Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Lonely Book”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Annie lives with her two mums and her elder sister Charlotte above a bookshop that her mums run together. Every morning when they open the shop, there is a stack of books on the counter. Throughout the day, when visitors come to the shop looking for a book, the right book is always waiting for them in that pile left magically by the bookshop. However, one day, a book from the pile is left unclaimed, and this upsets the bookshop, which then starts misbehaving. Annie’s whole family is at a loss about what to do. Adding to the complications is Charlotte’s increased reclusiveness, her mums’ financial worries, and Annie’s own selective mutism. How will the family resolve their issues and make the bookshop happy again?
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Annie.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The representation is spot on, not surprising from an OwnVoices queer author. Annie’s two mothers have been written in a realistic way. What I especially loved is how there are no needless explanations about why she has two mums. She just has, and that’s that! True inclusivity means that such situations are to be considered natural and don’t need elaborations.
😍 The bond across the four characters in the family is clearly visible, even when some of them are keeping secrets. Their growth as the story progresses is not just at the individual level but also as a family.
😍 You would have surely heard Stephen King’s quote, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” In this story, it is the bookshop that has a uniquely portable magic! What reader wouldn’t love a magical bookshop, even one that is temperamental? I loved the tantrums the bookshop throws when any reader doesn’t claim its suggested book, though I can also see why this was upsetting to the family. As the source of the magic isn’t explained, it adds to the wonder of the story by staying “magic’ till the end.
😍 The themes highlighted in the story are outstanding, and so relevant in today’s world. Through the four characters, we get to see discussions on gender identity, selective mutism, mental health, sign language, same-sex parents (and indirectly, Sapphic relationships), and financial pressure on adults. It also explores the idea of accepting ourselves as we are than striving to be what we are expected to be, and the role of familial support and love in the journey of self-acceptance. For a middle-grade book, it sure aims high, and delivers as well.
😍 Through the blurb, we know that one character is non-binary. However, our narrator is Annie, and she isn’t the non-binary character. This makes for an unusual LGBTQ+ book, because we see the gender identity struggles through the eyes of a cis person. Annie learns more about genders and gender identities as the story moves ahead, and the readers learn along with her. I love this “outside view” of the gender struggle because the book then becomes helpful not only to readers who are coming to terms with their gender identity, but also to cis readers who want to understand the struggles of non-binary people. It also shows cis readers a great way of becoming a gender rights ally.
😍 The author’s manner of explaining genders beyond the binary is impeccable. So simple, and yet so apt! Perfect for the target readership.
😍 At just a little more than 150 pages, and because of the verse-style writing, the book is quick in pace and can be completed in a sitting.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 While the target reader of the “lonely book’ is a mystery for a great part of the book, it isn’t difficult to figure out whom it is meant for. So we need to wait a long time for Annie to figure out the intended recipient. As such, the suspense angle of the book doesn’t deliver much. However, the book isn’t marketed as a mystery, so I suppose this shouldn’t be a big problem, especially for little readers.
😐 The blurb makes it sound like the book is about a non-binary character. But the first half of the story provides just a generic plot. The gender identity aspect comes up only around the midway mark. While the discussion is still nicely handled, I would have preferred more of it.
😐 The author’s interview at the end is enlightening about her writing choices in this book. However, the interview format and the content make it more suitable for older readers than for middle graders. Perhaps it would be helpful to parents/teachers before discussing this book with children.
Bookish Nays:
😒 I admit I picked this up knowing that it is a novel-in-verse. I am not at all fond of poetry, but the themes were so strong that I couldn’t resist it. That said, the “poetic content” of the book appeared minimal to my eyes. (Again, reminding you that I am an absolutely unskilled purveyor of poetry.) The text looked more like broken sentences to me, and with a lot of repetition, which might have been deliberate for poetic effect but it sure didn’t work on me. I read the book as if it were prose, and this got me through without any issues. But I am not sure how many middle-graders would actually appreciate the poetic elements of the story.
😒 I always prefer knowing the main characters’ ages, but this preference becomes a necessity in children’s fiction. Middle-graders range from ages 8 to 12, but there is a vast difference in the processing capabilities of an eight-year-old and a twelve-year-old. Annie’s age is thus vital to the storyline, but it is never mentioned or hinted at. All we know is that she is younger than Charlotte, who is sixteen.
(I discussed her possible age with my friend and fellow reviewer Srivalli, who had also read this book. She guessed Annie to be about 8 while I had estimated her to be around 12. This highlights the vagueness of the text regarding her age. Child characters must have their ages clearly specified.)
😒 Why does the book blurb on Goodreads and Amazon reveal the entire story, from start to end, leaving no suspense at all? Surely there should be something left for the readers to discover on their own!
Overall, this is a great book for the theme and the gender identity discussion, all of which sound authentic and simple for young readers. I wish the format of the book had not been verse so that more children (and guardians) would have been motivated to pick it up. Nevertheless, the themes are important enough to make this work a solid recommendation for middle graders. The magical bookshop is a bonus.
3.75 stars
My thanks to Little Island Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Lonely Book”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
September 13, 2023
Happy Publication Day
4.2 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (but the writing style is not for everyone)
Annie’s moms own a beautiful bookstore and live in the apartment above. Moms, Annie, and her older sister Charlotte are a perfect family. But every family has issues, especially when they have worries about finances, identity, and a touch of erratic magic.
The Birch Books bookshop selects a few books for readers every day. However, the yellow and purple-covered book is not taken by anyone. How can that be possible? As days go on and the lonely book has no takers, the bookshop becomes anxious and distressed. It affects Annie, our darling narrator. Can she and her family find the person and unite them with the lonely book? And why is Charlotte so angry?
The story comes from Annie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
The book has four main characters, Mum, Mama, Charlotte (a sixteen-year-old), and Annie, the youngest in the family. They love each other and love the bookshop just as much. Everything seems okay, but things happen and can be sorted too.
The story comes in verse though I wouldn’t call it poetry. It’s prose poetry at the most, with multiple repetitions. The best way to enjoy the book is to read it in Annie’s voice, the way it is meant to be read. Think of a little girl (possibly around 8) with a kind heart, open mind, and a gentle soul. She loves to talk and emphasize her points through repetition.
It takes a while to get used to the narrative style. But once you’re familiar with it, the flow is smoother and faster. Don’t look for meters or rhymes. Find your rhythm and flow with it. Also, try to read it in a single sitting. A break means you may have to get used to the style yet again.
The story, as such, is beautiful, warm, and heart-touching. It deals with a few topics, but the primary focus is on understanding gender identities and coming out. It also deals with selective mutism and the positive ways to handle the issue. The story oozes love and bonding while showing how anxiety, worries, and stress co-exist with love (even when the love is healthy).
The core theme of non-binary gender identity is introduced halfway through the book. It is presented in the most simplified format, making it easy for kids to understand. Annie represents the young minds that want to learn new things but can feel overwhelmed by excess information.
Sensitive topics are handled with care and a good dose of positivity. It’s the kind that fills kids with gentle confidence to face life’s challenges their way. Naturally, the book has characters more open and accepting towards queer identities. But that’s necessary too.
I like how the bookshop is a tangible being with emotions and expresses it by throwing books off the shelves, ringing the bell, messing with the cash machine, etc. While this magic is not explained, it aligns with Annie’s anxiety, making it easy to relate to the emotions. In a way, you could say that the bookshop expresses the feelings of its owners (all four of them). It is happy when they are happy and agitated when they are stressed.
The book doesn’t have illustrations. At least the ARC doesn’t (and no, the chapter titles don’t count). This is disappointing as I expected at least a handful of illustrations of the bookshop, the main characters, their home, Annie’s room, etc.
To summarize, The Lonely Book is a sweet book dealing with some important topics with a positive intent. If you want to talk about gender identity, anxiety, selective mutism, and Sapphic parents, this is for you.
Don’t skip the author’s interview at the end. It is informative and explains a few things from the book (not the magic, though).
Thank you, NetGalley and Little Island Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLonelyBook
***
P.S.: I’m not sure how this would work on Kindle, though the formatting isn’t complex. I read it on my desktop, which was easier on the eyes. The paperback would be most convenient for the target age group.
4.2 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (but the writing style is not for everyone)
Annie’s moms own a beautiful bookstore and live in the apartment above. Moms, Annie, and her older sister Charlotte are a perfect family. But every family has issues, especially when they have worries about finances, identity, and a touch of erratic magic.
The Birch Books bookshop selects a few books for readers every day. However, the yellow and purple-covered book is not taken by anyone. How can that be possible? As days go on and the lonely book has no takers, the bookshop becomes anxious and distressed. It affects Annie, our darling narrator. Can she and her family find the person and unite them with the lonely book? And why is Charlotte so angry?
The story comes from Annie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
The book has four main characters, Mum, Mama, Charlotte (a sixteen-year-old), and Annie, the youngest in the family. They love each other and love the bookshop just as much. Everything seems okay, but things happen and can be sorted too.
The story comes in verse though I wouldn’t call it poetry. It’s prose poetry at the most, with multiple repetitions. The best way to enjoy the book is to read it in Annie’s voice, the way it is meant to be read. Think of a little girl (possibly around 8) with a kind heart, open mind, and a gentle soul. She loves to talk and emphasize her points through repetition.
It takes a while to get used to the narrative style. But once you’re familiar with it, the flow is smoother and faster. Don’t look for meters or rhymes. Find your rhythm and flow with it. Also, try to read it in a single sitting. A break means you may have to get used to the style yet again.
The story, as such, is beautiful, warm, and heart-touching. It deals with a few topics, but the primary focus is on understanding gender identities and coming out. It also deals with selective mutism and the positive ways to handle the issue. The story oozes love and bonding while showing how anxiety, worries, and stress co-exist with love (even when the love is healthy).
The core theme of non-binary gender identity is introduced halfway through the book. It is presented in the most simplified format, making it easy for kids to understand. Annie represents the young minds that want to learn new things but can feel overwhelmed by excess information.
Sensitive topics are handled with care and a good dose of positivity. It’s the kind that fills kids with gentle confidence to face life’s challenges their way. Naturally, the book has characters more open and accepting towards queer identities. But that’s necessary too.
I like how the bookshop is a tangible being with emotions and expresses it by throwing books off the shelves, ringing the bell, messing with the cash machine, etc. While this magic is not explained, it aligns with Annie’s anxiety, making it easy to relate to the emotions. In a way, you could say that the bookshop expresses the feelings of its owners (all four of them). It is happy when they are happy and agitated when they are stressed.
The book doesn’t have illustrations. At least the ARC doesn’t (and no, the chapter titles don’t count). This is disappointing as I expected at least a handful of illustrations of the bookshop, the main characters, their home, Annie’s room, etc.
To summarize, The Lonely Book is a sweet book dealing with some important topics with a positive intent. If you want to talk about gender identity, anxiety, selective mutism, and Sapphic parents, this is for you.
Don’t skip the author’s interview at the end. It is informative and explains a few things from the book (not the magic, though).
Thank you, NetGalley and Little Island Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLonelyBook
***
P.S.: I’m not sure how this would work on Kindle, though the formatting isn’t complex. I read it on my desktop, which was easier on the eyes. The paperback would be most convenient for the target age group.
January 6, 2024
A gently magical, heartwarming and beautifully accepting read. With discussions of mental health, gender identity and the power of books, this is a gorgeously compassionate little story with a huge heart.
August 23, 2023
What a HEARTWARMING middle grade novel in verse about a magical bookshop that selects the perfect book for the people who need them.
Told from the POV of Annie, we experience her struggles with anxiety and worry for her two mothers who are concerned the store might need to close. Things get extra stressful when one book doesn't get picked up by the person it's been chosen for and the store starts 'acting out'.
Full of a great cast of queer characters (with an emphasis on a young non-binary child finding the courage to come out to their family), excellent mental health and disability rep (Annie has selective mutism, which manifests at times because of her anxiety) and a lovely magical realism element. I adored this book and know it will be a special one for young readers questioning their identities.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Meg Grehan and definitely won't be my last. I also really enjoyed the author interview included at the end, in which she discusses her own anxiety (particularly during the pandemic and her selective mutism experience).
Told from the POV of Annie, we experience her struggles with anxiety and worry for her two mothers who are concerned the store might need to close. Things get extra stressful when one book doesn't get picked up by the person it's been chosen for and the store starts 'acting out'.
Full of a great cast of queer characters (with an emphasis on a young non-binary child finding the courage to come out to their family), excellent mental health and disability rep (Annie has selective mutism, which manifests at times because of her anxiety) and a lovely magical realism element. I adored this book and know it will be a special one for young readers questioning their identities.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Meg Grehan and definitely won't be my last. I also really enjoyed the author interview included at the end, in which she discusses her own anxiety (particularly during the pandemic and her selective mutism experience).
November 9, 2025
⭐���⭐⭐⭐/5
Este es un libro súper bonito, escrito en verso, que explora el concepto del género y de ser quién eres desde la perspectiva infantil de una manera preciosa😭😭
Ha sido súper acertado elegir a Annie como protagonista, porque que sea una niña pequeña con cero conocimientos respecto al género ha permitido que todo lo que se explica en el libro sea muy natural, sencillo, orgánico y curioso, como la forma de aprender de cualquier peque básicamente.
Una historia entrañable de una familia con las dos mamis y la librería más mona del mundo, ojalá ser 😭❤️🩹
Se habla mucho de crear un espacio seguro en torno a los libros, y, en general, es una forma estupenda de abordar el género de las personas no binarias. 10/10
Además me ha parecido una maravilla la forma en la que esta familia está llena de amor, apoyo y ternura. Son una red de apoyo increíble, pero, al mismo tiempo, son conscientes de que los problemas no solo pueden resolverse de este modo y que nadie es salvador de nadie.
EN FIN, LITERATURA🚬. Me encantó
Este es un libro súper bonito, escrito en verso, que explora el concepto del género y de ser quién eres desde la perspectiva infantil de una manera preciosa😭😭
Ha sido súper acertado elegir a Annie como protagonista, porque que sea una niña pequeña con cero conocimientos respecto al género ha permitido que todo lo que se explica en el libro sea muy natural, sencillo, orgánico y curioso, como la forma de aprender de cualquier peque básicamente.
Una historia entrañable de una familia con las dos mamis y la librería más mona del mundo, ojalá ser 😭❤️🩹
Se habla mucho de crear un espacio seguro en torno a los libros, y, en general, es una forma estupenda de abordar el género de las personas no binarias. 10/10
Además me ha parecido una maravilla la forma en la que esta familia está llena de amor, apoyo y ternura. Son una red de apoyo increíble, pero, al mismo tiempo, son conscientes de que los problemas no solo pueden resolverse de este modo y que nadie es salvador de nadie.
EN FIN, LITERATURA🚬. Me encantó
April 10, 2023
This book is an absolute masterpiece. After reading and loving Meg’s other books, I can’t say I’m surprised that I loved this one but it absolutely blew me away.
Meg’s writing is so lyrical and I always find myself connecting with each story and it’s characters on such a deep level. In this book, I fell in love with Annie and her family. I loved their family dynamic and her mums relationship to each other and their children made me so happy. Charlie’s journey throughout the story was beautiful and so heart warming.
I also adore the concept of a book shop that finds the perfect book for each customer with magic. To work in or even visit a shop like that would be a dream. It was such a unique and fun aspect to explore within the story and I’ve never read anything like it.
This book is a beautiful exploration of gender identity and family, set in a magical bookshop that is full of heart and mesmerising. Once you pick it up, you won’t want to stop reading.
Thank you to Little Island Books for the ARC, this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and to read it early was a dream come true. I absolutely inhaled this one, as soon as the ARC arrived I dropped all my plans to read it. I smiled, laughed and cried. Now that my finished copy has arrived, I can’t wait to reread it and annotate all of my favourite parts. This is a story that will stay with me forever and I can already predict that I will find myself revisiting my favourite pages regularly.
Meg’s writing is so lyrical and I always find myself connecting with each story and it’s characters on such a deep level. In this book, I fell in love with Annie and her family. I loved their family dynamic and her mums relationship to each other and their children made me so happy. Charlie’s journey throughout the story was beautiful and so heart warming.
I also adore the concept of a book shop that finds the perfect book for each customer with magic. To work in or even visit a shop like that would be a dream. It was such a unique and fun aspect to explore within the story and I’ve never read anything like it.
This book is a beautiful exploration of gender identity and family, set in a magical bookshop that is full of heart and mesmerising. Once you pick it up, you won’t want to stop reading.
Thank you to Little Island Books for the ARC, this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and to read it early was a dream come true. I absolutely inhaled this one, as soon as the ARC arrived I dropped all my plans to read it. I smiled, laughed and cried. Now that my finished copy has arrived, I can’t wait to reread it and annotate all of my favourite parts. This is a story that will stay with me forever and I can already predict that I will find myself revisiting my favourite pages regularly.
June 4, 2023
Sapphic, non-binary, & selective mutism rep??? YES.
This book is really out here making me bawl my eyes out and I can’t adore it enough.
We follow a magical bookstore where every book has a way of finding its rightful owner. The shop is owned by the MC’s mums and it’s so dang CUTE.
Think cosy, cathartic, and growth mixed with loving families.
This was a beautiful read that wraps it’s way around your heart and hugs it.
For anyone wondering this is written in verse; if you’ve read the authors other book, baby teeth, then the structuring is similarly poetic.
Rep// MC has anxiety & selective mutism (sign language is used throughout), non-binary prominent SC, sapphic Black prominent SC, sapphic prominent SC, Trans background SC.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
Coming out (handled positively) panic attacks, anxiety, selective mutism, brief mention of misgendering.
This book is really out here making me bawl my eyes out and I can’t adore it enough.
We follow a magical bookstore where every book has a way of finding its rightful owner. The shop is owned by the MC’s mums and it’s so dang CUTE.
Think cosy, cathartic, and growth mixed with loving families.
This was a beautiful read that wraps it’s way around your heart and hugs it.
For anyone wondering this is written in verse; if you’ve read the authors other book, baby teeth, then the structuring is similarly poetic.
Rep// MC has anxiety & selective mutism (sign language is used throughout), non-binary prominent SC, sapphic Black prominent SC, sapphic prominent SC, Trans background SC.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
Coming out (handled positively) panic attacks, anxiety, selective mutism, brief mention of misgendering.
January 2, 2024
What a wonderful, special book.
May 25, 2023
This book oozes love out of every word! With every turn of the page you can feel the strong family bond and it feels like the story is just giving you a hug. As a bookseller I already work in a bookshop, but now I am very jealous that I don’t work in a magical one! We all need a Birch Books in our local community. This book is packed with acceptance and is a beautiful story about identity and always being true to yourself and finding your place in the world. As well as a reminder to share your magic and what makes you special. I also love all of the customers coming in to find their perfect book match and seeing how much that can make someone happy.
June 21, 2025
Hay libros que susurran, que se sientan a tu lado y te miran con ternura hasta que decides abrirles la puerta, y "El libro solitario" es uno de ellos, una historia poderosa sobre el amor en sus múltiples dimensiones.
Con una narradora que no puede (o no quiere) hablar, con una librería que parece tener alma propia y con personajes que se atreven a ser quienes son aunque el mundo no siempre los entienda, esta historia se desliza en verso como una corriente de río suave pero profunda.
Leído en un otoño muy frío, entre café tibio y mantas, este libro me recordó que el silencio también es una forma de amar. Que a veces, el libro que te salva aparece cuando más lo necesitas.
Amé las múltiples referencias a la lectura de los libros y a los espacios infinitos que estos abren. Este libro es un mimo al lector y a la magia que se construye gracias a los libros.
Narrada en primera persona, la historia sigue a Annie, una niña con mutismo selectivo, desde una perspectiva íntima y realista en la que muestra sus emociones. Amé esta forma de conectar, desde lo cercano, lo empático, a través de un lenguaje sencillo y emotivo. El relato está presentado en versos en lugar de prosa tradicional. Tiene ritmo ágil y fragmentos que transmiten emociones de forma directa, ágil y entrañable.
Sin duda es un libro precioso, cercano que permite explorar desde lo cotidiano dimensiones como la identidad y el amor incondicional.
Destaco:
⭐ Una edición hermosa de Kakao books con preciosos interiores e ilustrada.
⭐ Una hermosa narración en verso, íntima, honesta y poderosa.
⭐ Una protagonista con mutismo selectivo: una niña cuya voz está atrapada, pero cuya mirada dice tanto.
⭐ Una trama de fantasía donde una librería mágica despliega su amor y ayuda a los personajes para sanar y encontrar su voz. Dónde los libros aparecen solos... cuando alguien los necesita.
⭐ Personajes Lgbtq+ desde una familia con dos mamás hasta una hermana no binaria en transición, con representación natural.
⭐ Una ambientación calida y cozy ideal para quienes aman lo cotidiano con toques de realismo mágico.
⭐ Una historia donde se explora la identidad sin dramatismos innecesarios, solo verdad y ternura.
⭐ Un uso del lenguaje sencillo y atractivo, con frases breves, repeticiones que refuerzan el tono poético y accesible, ideal para lectores entre 8 y 12 años.
⭐ Una narrativa que explora la comunicación a través de la lengua de señas, dando un hermoso detalle que visibiliza la diversidad comunicativa.
⭐ Un abordaje de la salud mental infantil desde el respeto, tocando temas como la ansiedad, el miedo y la resiliencia, entre otros.
⭐ Representación LGBTQ+ abordada con delicadeza y naturalidad, especialmente un personaje no binario introducido desde una perspectiva inclusiva.
⭐ Una historia sensible, que no juzga, que te deja el corazón calentito y que se entiende sin palabras.
⭐ Un libro para volver a releer y marcar esas frases que tocan la fibra del corazón.
⭐ Los mejores tropes, librería mágica, found family, realismo mágico, voz interior, entre otros.
⭐ En suma, una historia preciosa sobre el amor incondicional, el amor por los libros y la aceptación de uno mismo.
Recomendada
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Si te gustó la reseña sigueme en bookstagram
@bookscatsandcoffeeuy
Con una narradora que no puede (o no quiere) hablar, con una librería que parece tener alma propia y con personajes que se atreven a ser quienes son aunque el mundo no siempre los entienda, esta historia se desliza en verso como una corriente de río suave pero profunda.
Leído en un otoño muy frío, entre café tibio y mantas, este libro me recordó que el silencio también es una forma de amar. Que a veces, el libro que te salva aparece cuando más lo necesitas.
Amé las múltiples referencias a la lectura de los libros y a los espacios infinitos que estos abren. Este libro es un mimo al lector y a la magia que se construye gracias a los libros.
Narrada en primera persona, la historia sigue a Annie, una niña con mutismo selectivo, desde una perspectiva íntima y realista en la que muestra sus emociones. Amé esta forma de conectar, desde lo cercano, lo empático, a través de un lenguaje sencillo y emotivo. El relato está presentado en versos en lugar de prosa tradicional. Tiene ritmo ágil y fragmentos que transmiten emociones de forma directa, ágil y entrañable.
Sin duda es un libro precioso, cercano que permite explorar desde lo cotidiano dimensiones como la identidad y el amor incondicional.
Destaco:
⭐ Una edición hermosa de Kakao books con preciosos interiores e ilustrada.
⭐ Una hermosa narración en verso, íntima, honesta y poderosa.
⭐ Una protagonista con mutismo selectivo: una niña cuya voz está atrapada, pero cuya mirada dice tanto.
⭐ Una trama de fantasía donde una librería mágica despliega su amor y ayuda a los personajes para sanar y encontrar su voz. Dónde los libros aparecen solos... cuando alguien los necesita.
⭐ Personajes Lgbtq+ desde una familia con dos mamás hasta una hermana no binaria en transición, con representación natural.
⭐ Una ambientación calida y cozy ideal para quienes aman lo cotidiano con toques de realismo mágico.
⭐ Una historia donde se explora la identidad sin dramatismos innecesarios, solo verdad y ternura.
⭐ Un uso del lenguaje sencillo y atractivo, con frases breves, repeticiones que refuerzan el tono poético y accesible, ideal para lectores entre 8 y 12 años.
⭐ Una narrativa que explora la comunicación a través de la lengua de señas, dando un hermoso detalle que visibiliza la diversidad comunicativa.
⭐ Un abordaje de la salud mental infantil desde el respeto, tocando temas como la ansiedad, el miedo y la resiliencia, entre otros.
⭐ Representación LGBTQ+ abordada con delicadeza y naturalidad, especialmente un personaje no binario introducido desde una perspectiva inclusiva.
⭐ Una historia sensible, que no juzga, que te deja el corazón calentito y que se entiende sin palabras.
⭐ Un libro para volver a releer y marcar esas frases que tocan la fibra del corazón.
⭐ Los mejores tropes, librería mágica, found family, realismo mágico, voz interior, entre otros.
⭐ En suma, una historia preciosa sobre el amor incondicional, el amor por los libros y la aceptación de uno mismo.
Recomendada
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Si te gustó la reseña sigueme en bookstagram
@bookscatsandcoffeeuy
April 10, 2024
Reseña en IG @angela.lectoravoraz
Annie se siente muy querida por sus dos mamás y por su hermana Charlotte. Incluso aunque a veces le cueste encontrar las palabras para expresarse y eso le genere ansiedad. A parte de querer a su familia, también tiene otro amor muy importante: el que siente por los libros y por la librería de su familia. La librería es mágica, siempre aparece una pila de libros que al final del día encuentra a su lector ideal. Aunque hay un libro misterioso que no encuentra a ningún lector y eso está llevando a la librería al borde del colapso.
Personajes: tenemos a Annie como narradora de la historia. Annie es una niña que a veces tiene problemas para expresarse, a pesar de que tiene las palabras en la punta de la lengua. Se preocupa mucho por cosas de las que no debería preocuparse, cosas de mayores; pero no puede evitar intentar ayudar. Es una niña adorable, llena de amor, a la que le coges mucho cariño; aunque realmente llegas a cogerles cariño a toda la familia. Se apoyan unas a otras y se quieren de forma incondicional.
Trama: tenemos una historia sobre el amor por los libros y con un mensaje muy importante de inclusión, puesto que nos habla de las personas transgénero. Contado de una forma clara y sencilla, ya que es a una niña a quien se lo están explicando; lo que lo hace una lectura ideal para los más pequeños, para que vayan entendiendo que todos tenemos nuestro lugar en el mundo. Es una historia bonita, tierna y necesaria. Te deja con el corazón calentito.
Ritmo de lectura: está escrito en prosa poética de forma muy clara y sencilla, eso sumado a lo cortito que es, pues puedes leerlo perfectamente en una tarde.
La edición está llena de detalles, con ilustraciones en los inicios de cada capítulo.
Conclusión: si te gustan las historias que transmiten amor por los libros, que tranmitan un mensaje importante y quieres una lectura que te deje con una sonrisa: este es tu libro.
Annie se siente muy querida por sus dos mamás y por su hermana Charlotte. Incluso aunque a veces le cueste encontrar las palabras para expresarse y eso le genere ansiedad. A parte de querer a su familia, también tiene otro amor muy importante: el que siente por los libros y por la librería de su familia. La librería es mágica, siempre aparece una pila de libros que al final del día encuentra a su lector ideal. Aunque hay un libro misterioso que no encuentra a ningún lector y eso está llevando a la librería al borde del colapso.
Personajes: tenemos a Annie como narradora de la historia. Annie es una niña que a veces tiene problemas para expresarse, a pesar de que tiene las palabras en la punta de la lengua. Se preocupa mucho por cosas de las que no debería preocuparse, cosas de mayores; pero no puede evitar intentar ayudar. Es una niña adorable, llena de amor, a la que le coges mucho cariño; aunque realmente llegas a cogerles cariño a toda la familia. Se apoyan unas a otras y se quieren de forma incondicional.
Trama: tenemos una historia sobre el amor por los libros y con un mensaje muy importante de inclusión, puesto que nos habla de las personas transgénero. Contado de una forma clara y sencilla, ya que es a una niña a quien se lo están explicando; lo que lo hace una lectura ideal para los más pequeños, para que vayan entendiendo que todos tenemos nuestro lugar en el mundo. Es una historia bonita, tierna y necesaria. Te deja con el corazón calentito.
Ritmo de lectura: está escrito en prosa poética de forma muy clara y sencilla, eso sumado a lo cortito que es, pues puedes leerlo perfectamente en una tarde.
La edición está llena de detalles, con ilustraciones en los inicios de cada capítulo.
Conclusión: si te gustan las historias que transmiten amor por los libros, que tranmitan un mensaje importante y quieres una lectura que te deje con una sonrisa: este es tu libro.
September 22, 2024
I found this at a Little Free Library and even though it’s a middle grade book, I thought the premise and form looked fun. It’s really cute and I’m glad that children have this book as a simple and sweet introduction to lesbian relationships and non-binary people.
August 8, 2025
Un libro tierno, conmovedor, y que enseña un montón sobre la inclusión y la importancia de tener un circulo de contención y de amor.
Es hermoso, me encanta como explica de una forma tan sencilla y para niños conceptos como las personas no binarias y la familia❤️🩹.
Realmente único y conmovedor 🫶.
Es hermoso, me encanta como explica de una forma tan sencilla y para niños conceptos como las personas no binarias y la familia❤️🩹.
Realmente único y conmovedor 🫶.
April 8, 2023
So much feeling in so few pages ♡ Throughout this book there is so much love, acceptance and kindness. A wonderful way to introduce younger readers to gender and identity. And Annie is just the sweetest.
May 19, 2023
This heartwarming, gentle story is written in verse, which makes it an unusual read for me. The only other book I have read that adopts this form is ‘The Post X’ by Elizabeth Acevedo, which is a very different story targeted at a very different demographic than ‘The Lonely Book’, so I digress.
Although I may be twenty four years old and this book is aimed at 9-11 year olds, I found it informative and thought-provoking. I learned from it. There is a wealth of knowledge to be found from children and their literature and I think us adults should read more of it. I learned more about selective mutism & going non-verbal, as well as gender fluidity. I really appreciate that this book does not underestimate how much children can comprehend. I’ve seen the topic of gender identity covered in various books marketed for adults and the way Grehan presents it is immaculate. I understood far more from reading this book than I have from anything I have previously read, marketed at my age group. The topic of gender identity is often treated like this very complicated thing when it really is not. The author explains it in simple terms while giving a comprehensive, age-appropriate explanation. Basically, I think we should read more children’s literature…that’s essentially the main point of my review.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
Heartwarming, hopeful, emotional and most importantly, kind.
Thank you Little Island Books for sending me this darling book ✨
Although I may be twenty four years old and this book is aimed at 9-11 year olds, I found it informative and thought-provoking. I learned from it. There is a wealth of knowledge to be found from children and their literature and I think us adults should read more of it. I learned more about selective mutism & going non-verbal, as well as gender fluidity. I really appreciate that this book does not underestimate how much children can comprehend. I’ve seen the topic of gender identity covered in various books marketed for adults and the way Grehan presents it is immaculate. I understood far more from reading this book than I have from anything I have previously read, marketed at my age group. The topic of gender identity is often treated like this very complicated thing when it really is not. The author explains it in simple terms while giving a comprehensive, age-appropriate explanation. Basically, I think we should read more children’s literature…that’s essentially the main point of my review.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
Heartwarming, hopeful, emotional and most importantly, kind.
Thank you Little Island Books for sending me this darling book ✨
July 24, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded down.
Genuinely, I love the story and the kindness and the love pouring out of this little tale. For lots of people, this is their "perfect book" just like the story! However, for me, novels in verse annoy me to no end. I can't tell where one thought starts and another begins, and it constantly took me out of the story to figure it out. Plus, this book is meant for middle grade/kids, so it would be even harder for them to piece together!
Of course, without all of the words
spaced
out
so far, and the repetition
repetition of thoughts,
the book would be all of 30 pages. Maybe 50, with the formatting of kid's books. Honestly, I think that it would be much more preferable here. When I imagined the actual words of this book formatted like normal sentences, I loved it much more.
The use of selective mutism and nonbinary identities are handled extremely gracefully and are understandable for children, and that's what matters here, but the formatting leaves a lot to be desired.
Genuinely, I love the story and the kindness and the love pouring out of this little tale. For lots of people, this is their "perfect book" just like the story! However, for me, novels in verse annoy me to no end. I can't tell where one thought starts and another begins, and it constantly took me out of the story to figure it out. Plus, this book is meant for middle grade/kids, so it would be even harder for them to piece together!
Of course, without all of the words
spaced
out
so far, and the repetition
repetition of thoughts,
the book would be all of 30 pages. Maybe 50, with the formatting of kid's books. Honestly, I think that it would be much more preferable here. When I imagined the actual words of this book formatted like normal sentences, I loved it much more.
The use of selective mutism and nonbinary identities are handled extremely gracefully and are understandable for children, and that's what matters here, but the formatting leaves a lot to be desired.
February 13, 2025
Hacía tiempo que un libro no me conquistaba tanto. Una historia hermosa de autoaceptación y apoyo familiar narrada con una idea y formato originales y desde la perspectiva naif de una niña que está aprendiendo como funciona el mundo. Por momentos me parece que cuando se explica el género la niña lo pilla todo demasiado fácil y me resulta algo incongruente con las experiencias reales con niñes de esas edades, pero son detalles menores que no le restan al libro originalidad y buen desarrollo de ideas.
August 28, 2025
Un libro escrito desde el amor y la magia de los libros, donde además se habló del valor y de las respuestas que podemos encontrar, a pesar de hablarnos de una manera muy cozy creo que la autora logra hablar de temas muy complejos, como la identidad de género, las familias del mismo sexo, y el conocimiento y la importancia de contenidos así para los nuevos lectores.
June 16, 2023
The sweetest family dynamic you will ever see with queer representation shown effortlessly throughout ❤️
I wish all kids got to grow up with Annie’s mums and knew that no matter what their gender identity is they will be accepted and loved ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I wish all kids got to grow up with Annie’s mums and knew that no matter what their gender identity is they will be accepted and loved ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 10, 2023
3.5*
Very sweet and heartwarming. Ideal for young kids 9 (or younger) up to 12/14, though definitely a necessary read for many adults too! I think I would have enjoyed a more developed story in prose, or a dual pov with Charlie.
Very sweet and heartwarming. Ideal for young kids 9 (or younger) up to 12/14, though definitely a necessary read for many adults too! I think I would have enjoyed a more developed story in prose, or a dual pov with Charlie.
June 23, 2024
Gentle, soothing, lovely.
July 16, 2025
Pienso leerle este libro a mis hijes por lo menos una vez al mes.
July 31, 2025
Beautifully written.
Wonderfully explained.
Wonderfully explained.
October 17, 2025
Mooi. O zo goed. Nodig. Zacht en sterk, magisch op zoveel meer vlakken dan verwacht.
Blijkbaar hebben poëtisch geschreven boeken een streepje voor bij mij. Of toch minstens “Good different” en deze. Pareltje ❤️
Blijkbaar hebben poëtisch geschreven boeken een streepje voor bij mij. Of toch minstens “Good different” en deze. Pareltje ❤️
August 29, 2023
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In "The Lonely Book," Annie is confused. The usually magical bookshop she lives isn't working the way it should and it's making everything go haywire. She is so very worried about her moms but also her sibling and the bookshop itself?? What if they can't keep it open??
I loved this book by Meg Grehan. I realized after I was done that I actually own another of her books and heard about a third one. I'm so silly.
Anyway, this was so good, I loved the writing. This was told through verse but in a very accessible way and I flew through the story. I loved Annie and all her relationships with her family. I also really enjoyed the selective mutism rep. I hadn't read a point of view quite like this one before.
Overall, this was just so good and I can't wait to read Meg Grehan's previous books and whatever she writes next!
In "The Lonely Book," Annie is confused. The usually magical bookshop she lives isn't working the way it should and it's making everything go haywire. She is so very worried about her moms but also her sibling and the bookshop itself?? What if they can't keep it open??
I loved this book by Meg Grehan. I realized after I was done that I actually own another of her books and heard about a third one. I'm so silly.
Anyway, this was so good, I loved the writing. This was told through verse but in a very accessible way and I flew through the story. I loved Annie and all her relationships with her family. I also really enjoyed the selective mutism rep. I hadn't read a point of view quite like this one before.
Overall, this was just so good and I can't wait to read Meg Grehan's previous books and whatever she writes next!
June 1, 2025
Such an important book for people to read. Identities and how they are experienced by children is the most wonderful thing
May 12, 2023
Simply breathtaking. My heart is so full after reading The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan. I am bursting with emotions, and I hardly know where to start to describe how I feel and the many ways I love this book.
There is so much beauty between the pages. Firstly, the sheer simplicity and authenticity of the verse that it is written in. It takes sheer skill to make something so complex come across so simply and fluidly. Then there is the power of those words, the messages, the story, the characters...
This book is written to appeal to and be understood by young children, to introduce concepts of love and gender in all its forms, to emphasis learning and acceptance but there is so much adults can pick up from this too.
The book is written from the perspective of Annie, a young girl with selective mutism, who receives so much love and support from her two mums and her big sister. They live and work in a bookshop, one that is filled with love and magic and helps choose the perfect books for its customers. Trouble and anxiety come when one book on gender identity goes unloved and is left sitting on the shelves. The shop and the families' lives come into disarray, despite all the love between them. Through Annie's young eyes, we get to learn about gender identities and simple acceptance. It is such a beautiful journey. This book will be such a help to so many young people who feel misunderstood, confused, unlovable, and searching for acceptance in the world. There is so much love in their family unit. It is joyous and powerful. There is so much love not only for each other, but for their home; the bookshop. Bookshops always feel like a home from home. Books give support, escapism, and so much love. How amazing to see that concept brought to life in this book. Annie , Charlie, and their two mums are indeed a family perfectly formed; so, too, is this book - perfectly formed. With thanks to Meg Grehan and Little Island Books for bringing this magical read into my life. Published April 2023 #thelonelybook #meggrehan #littleislandbooks #middlegradebooks #LGBTQIA+ #verse #family #genderidentity #bookshops #magicofbooks #anxiety #nonbinary #selectivemutism
There is so much beauty between the pages. Firstly, the sheer simplicity and authenticity of the verse that it is written in. It takes sheer skill to make something so complex come across so simply and fluidly. Then there is the power of those words, the messages, the story, the characters...
This book is written to appeal to and be understood by young children, to introduce concepts of love and gender in all its forms, to emphasis learning and acceptance but there is so much adults can pick up from this too.
The book is written from the perspective of Annie, a young girl with selective mutism, who receives so much love and support from her two mums and her big sister. They live and work in a bookshop, one that is filled with love and magic and helps choose the perfect books for its customers. Trouble and anxiety come when one book on gender identity goes unloved and is left sitting on the shelves. The shop and the families' lives come into disarray, despite all the love between them. Through Annie's young eyes, we get to learn about gender identities and simple acceptance. It is such a beautiful journey. This book will be such a help to so many young people who feel misunderstood, confused, unlovable, and searching for acceptance in the world. There is so much love in their family unit. It is joyous and powerful. There is so much love not only for each other, but for their home; the bookshop. Bookshops always feel like a home from home. Books give support, escapism, and so much love. How amazing to see that concept brought to life in this book. Annie , Charlie, and their two mums are indeed a family perfectly formed; so, too, is this book - perfectly formed. With thanks to Meg Grehan and Little Island Books for bringing this magical read into my life. Published April 2023 #thelonelybook #meggrehan #littleislandbooks #middlegradebooks #LGBTQIA+ #verse #family #genderidentity #bookshops #magicofbooks #anxiety #nonbinary #selectivemutism
June 23, 2024
Hacía muchos años que no leía un libro infantil y este me ha parecido sencillamente precioso. La manera en la que está escrito es super amena, creo que un niñe podría seguirlo fácilmente. Además, todo está narrado desde la perspectiva de una niña lo que ayuda al ritmo de la historia y a verlo todo desde una perspectiva mucho más simple. Muchas veces los adultos le damos demasiadas vueltas a las cosas y no es tan complicado. Me ha parecido super bonito todo el amor que transmite, lo del mutismo selectivo en momentos de ansiedad y la forma de luchar contra ello aprendiendo toda la familia lengua de signos sé que no es parte de la trama principal pero me ha parecido un detalle y una idea preciosísima. La librería mágica le da el toque fantástico a la historia. En general me ha parecido que todo está escrito con una delicadeza y un amor abismales. Es un libro que recomendaría y prestaría a mis sobrinas.
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